Postural Loading Assessment in Assembly Workers of an Iranian Telecommunication Manufacturing Company

Background. Changes in industries and work practices have coincided with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and to assess postural loading in assembly workers of an Iranian telecommunication manufacturing company. Methods. Data were collected from 193 randomly selected workers in 4 units of the company. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the UBC ergonomic checklist were used as data collection tools. Loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA) was used to assess postural loading. Results. Lower back symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (67.9%). LUBA showed that most assembly workers (94.3%) had experienced considerable and high postural loading (postural load index, PLI > 5). Regression analyses revealed that lighting, rotation, contact stress, repetition, gender and age were factors associated with symptoms. Conclusion. Work-related MSDs occurred at a high rate among workers. Postural loading requires consideration. Any ergonomic intervention should focus on eliminating ergonomic factors associated with symptoms.     

基于智能手机的建筑工人躯干姿势危险评估方法

为预防建筑工人工作有关肌肉骨骼疾患(WMSDs),提出基于智能手机的建筑工人躯干姿势危险评估方法。以建筑工人WMSDs发病率最高的背部为研究对象,将智能手机作为数据采集工具,利用其内置方向传感器输出数据,计算建筑工人工作时躯干的屈伸、横向弯曲和扭转角度,从而描述当前的躯干姿势;根据ISO11226:2000中给出的静态姿势与保持时间的关系,对当前姿势进行危险评估;通过实验室和现场试验验证该方法的有效性和实用性。结果表明:用该方法能够准确地描述建筑工人的躯干姿势,并评估其危险。     

Association between psychosocial,organizational and personal factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between organizational and personal (individual) factors with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office workers of the Iranian Gas Transmission Company. The participants rated two questionnaires – the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to measure the prevalence of MSDs, and the Veterans Healthcare Administration All Employee Survey questionnaire (2004 version) – to measure psychosocial, organizational and individual aspects of job satisfaction and workplace climate. The highest prevalence of MSDs was found in the lower back (49.7%) and neck (49.0%) regions. Results of the logistic regression models showed that some psychosocial and organizational factors and also some individual factors were associated with prevalence of MSDs (p < 0.05).These ?ndings illustrate the need to consider all elements of the work system as a whole in future studies and in organizational planning.     

Manual Material Handling Assessment Among Workers of Iranian Casting Workshops

Manual material handling (MMH) tasks can be found in most workplaces and they may constitute a risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of WMSDs and to compare MMH loads with the acceptable weight and force limits among Iranian casting workers. Data were collected from 50 workers of casting workshops who performed MMH tasks. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire and the Snook tables were used as tools for data collection. Hand/ wrist symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the workers (84%). The results of the Snook tables showed that the loads in lifting (84%), lowering (86%), carrying (66%), pushing with initial (43%) and sustained force (59%), and pulling tasks with initial (48%) and sustained force (93%) exceeded recommended limits. WMSDs occurred in high rates among the workers and, thus, ergonomics interventions should focus on decreasing WMSDs and redesigning MMH tasks.     

Improving body posture while fueling with a newly designed pump nozzle

Background. Although petrol pumps are a very common and highly used simple technology, their design consideration for comfort and safety to prevent high-pressure load and musculoskeletal injuries to the body is a neglected area in many countries including Iran. Objectives. This study attempted to design a new pump nozzle, and to assess the differences in musculoskeletal load related to body posture when a price/volume display is mounted on the pump nozzle. Methods. For postural analysis, photographs recording the posture of 100 randomly selected customers while fueling at petrol pumps and the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) technique were used. Results. The results of this study showed that RULA scores improved significantly after the newly designed pump nozzle was used. Conclusion. The newly designed pump nozzle is useful in reducing load related to body posture while fueling.     

An evaluation of occupational accidents in the wooden furniture industry - A regional study in South East Asia

Studies on the rate of occupational accidents among workers in the wooden furniture industry is sparse, although the industry is deemed to be highly accident prone. Therefore, the rate of occupational accidents among workers in the wooden furniture industry in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam were studied, in 240 furniture manufacturing factories, using a structured questionnaire. The findings of the study suggest that contract workers are less prone to occupational accidents compared to their permanent counterparts, and hence, are more productive. Further, the results also revealed that the contract workers have a more positive attitude towards the work, and hence, pick up the essentials of safe working practices quickly. It must therefore be recognized that the “production oriented mentality” prevalent in the wooden furniture industry, which has been argued to compromise occupational safety and health standards in the industry may be debatable. In this context, it is essential for the policy makers to re-examine the employment of contract workers for the furniture manufacturing industry, as changing the psycho-economic parameters of the industry may be warranted before the industry is deemed attractive to a permanent workforce.     

基于DNN的作业姿势评估方法及应用

为有效预防工人肌肉骨骼疾病,提出基于深度神经网络(DNN)的作业姿势评估方法。利用人体关节点估计DNN模型,检测现场视频中工人的身体姿势;通过提取的骨骼关节点的空间位置,计算不同身体部位的姿势角度,并依据快速全身评估法(REBA)中的身体姿势角度与危害程度的关系,自动评估工人作业姿势的风险水平;以建筑工人典型施工作业姿势为例,验证该方法的有效性和实用性。结果表明:该方法能够克服身体遮挡、设备分辨率、光照条件等影响,准确检测关节点的位置;可自动连续评估工人的作业姿势,评估效率较高。     

A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Effects of the Erggi Action Model of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and VDU Working Conditions Among University Staff

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions of university workers with and without contact with an Erggi action model. Methods. A quasi-experimental and longitudinal field study design examined effects of the Erggi action model with 3 types of questionnaires filled by 1000 university workers. The statistical analyses used logistic regression. Results. Subjects who had contact with the Erggi action model had a higher probability of weekly musculoskeletal symptoms impairing their work, perceived more possibilities to influence their musculoskeletal symptoms and had lower risk for sick leave compared to those without contact with the Erggi action model. Conclusions. The Erggi action model increases the probability of influencing workers’ musculoskeletal symptoms, decreases the number of sick leave and increases awareness of musculoskeletal symptoms and working conditions.